Abstract: A method for forming images having a contrast of greater than G 8, comprising the step of developing an imagewise exposed silver halide photographic material with a developing solution having a pH of 11.2 or less. The silver halide photographic material comprises a support having thereon a hydrophilic colloid layer containing a redox compound which releases a development inhibitor upon oxidation and at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a hydrazine derivative. The at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a hydrazine derivative is different from the hydrophilic colloid layer containing a redox compound.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic material comprising a support, having thereon one or more hydrophilic colloid layers, wherein at least one of the hydrophilic colloid layers is a silver halide emulsion layer, and wherein the silver halide emulsion layer or another hydrophilic colloid layer contains a compound represented by general formula (I):Y--[(X).sub.n --A.sub.0 --B.sub.0 ].sub.m (I)wherein Y represents a group which is adsorbed on silver halide, X represents a divalent group comprising an atom or group of atoms selected from among a hydrogen atom, a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom, A.sub.0 represents a divalent linking group which has at least two alkyleneoxy units, B.sub.0 represents an amino group, an ammonium group or a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group, m represents 1, 2 or 3, and n represents 0 or 1, as well as a method for processing a silver halide photographic material in the presence of a compound according to general formula (I).

Abstract: A photographic element comprising a support having thereon at least one layer comprising a polymer obtained by copolymerizing a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (I) and a copolymerizable cellulose derivative represented by the following general formula (II):--A).sub.x (B).sub.y (I)wherein A represents a repeating unit derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having --COOH group, --SO.sub.3 H group or --PO(OH).sub.2 group in the molecular structure; and B represents a repeating unit derived from a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer; ##STR1## wherein (R.sup.1)s each independently represents (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a monovalent organic bonding group such as an ester group or an ether group or (iii) a monovalent organic bonding group represented by the following general formula (III), with the proviso that (R.sup.1)s do not all hydrogen atom at the same time; and n represents a number of 20 to 800; ##STR2## wherein R.sup.

Abstract: A vacuum package of a photographic processing composition consisting of a plurality of components is obtained by placing the components in a bag as separate solid state layers in a vacuum sealed manner. A normally liquid component is converted into a solid adduct in order to form a layer. A substantially water insoluble component or trace component is coated on the surface of particles of a water soluble inorganic compound, from which another layer is formed. The packaged composition is taken out of the bag and diluted with water to prepare a processing solution.

Abstract: Base and auxiliary solvent solubilized precipitated dispersions of couplers and other photographic materials usually produce very small particle dispersions, and usually such dispersions are extremely highly reactive because of the smallness of the particle size. However, some relatively more hydrophobic couplers, even through they produce small particles when a dispersion if formed by the precipitation technique, lead to extremely unreactive dispersions. The method of this invention constitutes a single step coprecipitation technique where a base deprotonation compound, preferably a liquid carboxylic acid, is incorporated into the precipitated particles to produce photographically highly active coupler dispersions.

Abstract: The invention is performed by providing a first flow of water and surfactant, a second flow comprising solvent, base and photographic material, and mixing said first and second streams and either simultaneously or immediately following thereof neutralizing said streams to prevent hydrolysis of a hydrolyzable surfactant and/or premature precipitation of particles before neutralization. The streams then may be immediately treated for formation into photographic materials. In a preferred method the first and second stream may be brought together immediately prior to a mixer with addition of acid directly into the mixer to neutralize the dispersion of fine particles.

Abstract: Photographic processing chemicals in the form of granulates having an average particle diameter of from 150 to 3000 .mu.m containing a polymer having a molar mass of from 6,000,000 to 14,000,000 in a quantity from 1 to 1,000 mg/kg of granulate consisting of at least 80 mol % of one or more of the monomers, acrylamide, acrylic acid and cationic monomer or mixtures of acrylamide and cationic or anionic monomer are distinguished by being easy to prepare, dust free and freely pourable.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline processing liquid suitable for use in the silver complex diffusion transfer reversal (DTR-) process, wherein said liquid contains one or more alkanolamines, the said alkanolamine(s) consisting of one or more tertiary alkanolamines in an amount in the range from 0.3 mol to 1.5 mol/l, and one or more secondary alkanolamines in an amount from 0 mol % to 5 mol % with respect to the amount of tertiary alkanolamine(s), and said liquid also contains a mixture of a silver image toning agent A being 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol or a tautomer thereof and at least one other silver image toning agent B being a 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol or a tautomer thereof, wherein the phenyl nucleus is substituted with halogen, the toning agent A and toning agent(s) B being present in said liquid in a molar ratio from 1/15 to 15/1.

Abstract: Base and auxiliary solvent solubilized precipitated dispersions of couplers and other photographic materials usually produce very small particle dispersions, and usually such dispersions are extremely highly reactive because of the smallness of the particle size. However, some relatively more hydrophobic couplers, even though they produce small particles when a dispersion is formed by the precipitation technique, lead to extremely unreactive dispersions. The method of this invention constitutes a single step coprecipitation technique where a base deprotonation compound, preferably a liquid carboxylic acid, is incorporated into the precipitated particles to produce photographically highly active coupler dispersions.

Abstract: This invention describes a process of coprecipitating a photographic material such as a dye-forming coupler inside a base ionizable polymeric particle. Preparation of such a dispersion is performed by providing a first flow comprising a solution of a surfactant in water containing a polymer ionizable by base, providing a second flow comprising a water miscible solvent, base, water, and the photographic material, then mixing the said first and said second flow and immediately neutralizing the mixed flow to precipitate the photographic material inside the polymer particles forming a fine particle colloidal dispersion of the photographic material. The polymer dispersions of the invention are characterized by high photographic activity and high dye-stability in some cases.

Abstract: Base and auxiliary solvent solubilized precipitated dispersions of couplers and other photographic materials usually produce very small particle dispersions, and usually such dispersions are extremely highly reactive because of the smallness of the particle size. However, some relatively more hydrophobic couplers, even though they produce small particles when a dispersion is formed by the precipitation technique, lead to extremely unreactive dispersions. The method of this invention constitutes a single step precipitation technique where a permanent high boiling water insoluble coupler solvent is incorporated into the precipitated particles to produce photographically highly active coupler dispersions.

Abstract: The invention provides stable dispersions of couplers and methods of their formation. The stable dispersions are formed by the use of a nonionic water soluble polymer in combination with an anionic surfactant having a sulfate or sulfonate head group and a hydrophobic group of 8 to 20 carbons. The preferred nonionic water soluble polymers are polyethyleneoxide and polyvinylpyrrolidene. It is preferred that the dispersions have a pH of between about 5 and 5.5.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline processing liquid suitable for use in the silver complex diffusion transfer (DTR-) process, wherein said liquid contains one or more alkanolamines, the said alkanolamine(s) consisting of one or more tertiary alkanolamines in an amount in the range from 0.15 mol to 1.5 mol/l, and one or more secondary alkanolamines in an amount higher than 5 mol % but not higher than 100 mol % with respect to the amount of tertiary alkanolamine(s), and said liquid also contains a mixture of a silver image toning agent A being 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol or a tautomer thereof and at least one other silver image toning agent B being a 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol or a tautomer thereof, wherein the phenyl nucleus is substituted with halogen, the toning agent A and toning agent(s) B being present in said liquid in a molar ratio from 1/15 to 15/1.

Abstract: Potassium iodide (or a related iodide) when incorporated in an alkaline activator for use in a rapid access processor using developer-incorporated, resin-coated paper, (i) produces a cold image tone in black-and-white photographic prints, and (ii) maintains the image tone of a large number of prints within a narrow image tone range over a (one week or one thousand 8.times.10 inch print) design life of the activator solution.

Abstract: A method of preparing a coupler dispersion in gelatin by separating the auxiliary coupler solvent using a hydrophilic membrane having a pure size less than 175 Angstroms.

Abstract: The invention is performed by providing a first flow of water and surfactant, a second flow comprising solvent, base and photographic material, and mixing said first and second streams and either simultaneously or immediately following thereof neutralizing said streams to prevent hydrolysis of a hydrolyzable surfactant and/or premature precipitation of particles before neutralization. The streams then may be immediately treated for formation into photographic materials. In a preferred method the first and second stream may be brought together immediately prior to a mixer with addition of acid directly into the mixer to neutralize the dispersion of fine particles.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a hydrophilic colloid and a surface active agent characterised in that the surface active agent is a compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;each of X and Y is --H or --Q.sup.- M.sup.+ ;Q.sup.- is an anion; and,M.sup.+ is a cation;provided that when X is --H, Y is --Q.sup.- M.sup.+ and that when X is --Q.sup.- M.sup.+, Y is --H.Preferred surface active agents include compounds of the above formula wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are identical.The anion Q.sup.- is a negatively charged atom or group of atoms preferably comprising a sulphonate group, such as --SO.sub.3.sup.- or --CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3.sup.- or a sulphate group, such as --OSO.sub.3.sup.-.The cation M.sup.+ is a positively charged atom or group of atoms preferably chosen from alkali metal cations, such as Na.sup.+ or ammonium.

Abstract: Base and auxiliary solvent solubilized precipitated dispersions of couplers and other photographic materials usually produce very small particle dispersions, and usually such dispersions are extremely highly reactive because of the smallness of the particle size. However, some relatively more hydrophobic couplers, even though they produce small particles when a dispersion is formed by the precipitation technique, lead to extremely unreactive dispersions. The method of this invention constitutes a single step precipitation technique where a permanent high boiling water insoluble coupler solvent is incorporated into the precipitated particles to produce photographically highly active coupler dispersions.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for color development of a surface having imagewise tacky and nontacky image areas which comprises(a) applying a dry nonelectroscopic toner to the image-bearing surface;(b) distributing the toner particles over the image surface whereby the distributed toner particles become embedded solely in the tacky image areas; and(c) physically removing toner particles from the nontacky areas which are left substantially free of the toner particles, the improvement wherein high resolution images having higher toned optical density with improved color purity are obtained using a dry nonelectroscopic humidity resistant toner having a size distribution within the range from about 0.2 micron to about 10 microns, not more than 10% of the toner being below 0.

Abstract: The invention provides water soluble surface active compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted aryl, provided that not both R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen,and each of x and y independently is an integer from 3 to 6.In a preferred embodiment where discrete compounds are required, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical and x and y are identical.Particularly preferred compounds are those wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is an alkyl group having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably from 6 to 7 carbon atoms, and each of x and y is an integer from 3 to 6.

Abstract: This invention relates to diffusion transfer photographic processes adapted to be performed in the presence of ambient light and to diffusion transfer products useful in such processes wherein a substantial increase in opacification in the red and near infrared region of the visible spectrum and a substantial increase in opacification in the blue and green region is achieved by employing certain alkyl-substituted phenanthrol/carboxynaphthol phthaleins as the light-absorbing, pH-sensitive optical filter agent for the longer wavelength region of the visible spectrum.

Abstract: This invention relates to diffusion transfer photographic processes adapted to be performed in the presence of ambient light and to diffusion transfer products useful in such processes wherein unexpectedly enhanced opacification in the red and near infrared region of the visible spectrum is achieved by employing phenanthrol/carboxynaphthol phthaleins as the light-absorbing, pH-sensitive optical filter agent for the longer wavelength region of the visible spectrum.

Abstract: A developer sheet comprising a support having a layer of a color developer on the surface thereof, said color developer being capable of reacting with a substantially colorless electron donating color former to produce a color image and being an acrylic or methacrylic polymer having pendant developer moieties (e.g., hydroxy aromatic or aromatic acid moieties such as salicyclic or phthalic acid moieties) which are preferably metallated (e.g., zincated) or being the polymeric reaction product of vinyl salicylic acid or salt.

Abstract: Alkylenglycol aliphatic diesters are water-immiscible high-boiling organic solvents useful for dispersing hydrophobic photographic additives in hydrophilic colloid compositions which are incorporated into the composing layers of light-sensitive silver halide photographic materials.In particular, said alkylenglycol aliphatic diesters correspond to general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, the same or different, each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, Q represents an acylic hydrocarbon divalent group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, m represents 0 or 1 and the total number of carbon atoms represented in R.sub.1 +R.sub.2 is at least 6.

Abstract: A superhigh contrast negative type silver halide photographic material comprising a support having provided thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer, the emulsion layer or at least one other hydrophilic colloid layer containing at least one hydrazine derivative and at least one compound of formula (I):Y[(X).sub.n A-B].sub.m (I)wherein Y represents a group capable of adsorbing to silver halide; X represents a divalent linking group comprising an atom or atoms selected from a hydrogen atom, a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom or an atomic group comprised of the atoms; A represents a divalent linking group; B represents a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, an ammonium group or a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group; m represents 1, 2 or 3; and n represents 0 or 1. The photographic material may contain an organic desensitizer and a water-soluble rhodium salt, and the material has a low sensitivity and can be handled in a bright room.

Abstract: A processing composition for use in color diffusion transfer photograph is disclosed, comprising a compound represented formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represents an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together form a ring; M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or ammonium; and Y represents a sulfonyl or carbonyl group.

Abstract: A method of effecting high contrast development of an image-wise exposed photographic silver halide emulsion layer material wherein the developing proceeds in an aqueous medium having a pH of 10 to 12 and containing:(a)(i) hydroquinone or a substituted hydroquinone,(ii) an auxiliary developing agent having a developing activity of such degree as to give when utilized in the Standard Development Test defined in the specification a relative development rate (f.sub.x) in the range of about 1-2(b) free sulphite ions in an amount of at least 5 grams per liter of the medium,(c) an organic anti-fogging agent, and(d) a polymer containing a plurality of alkylene oxide units having a molecular weight of at least about 1500.

Abstract: Fluorescent dry nonelectroscopic toner comprising fluorescent pigmented organic resin particles having a size distribution of 0.2 to 50 micrometers, surface coated with at least 0.1% by weight of silicone oil or fluorocarbon compound, in combination with at least 0.5% by weight of a water soluble, polymeric quaternary ammonium compound as defined. The fluorescent toner is useful in color developing positive- and negative-working photosensitive elements. The toners provide good toning quality and excellent lack of background color, together with stability on aging.

Abstract: Liquid petroleum sulfonates are useful alone or in combination with less lipophilic anionic surfactants in the preparation of dispersions of water-insoluble photographic addenda, such as couplers and ultraviolet absorbers, in hydrophilic colloid compositions. Such dispersions are useful in photographic elements. Crystallization of the addenda is inhibited and, for some addenda, other advantages are obtained.

Abstract: A latex composition having utility in articles such as photographic elements is disclosed. The composition comprises loadable polymer particles having recurring units a, b and c wherein:component a is 10 to 100 weight percent of a tetrahydrofurfuryl monomer having the structure: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 represents O or NH; andR.sub.2 represents H or lower alkyl of about 1 to 6 carbon atoms;component b is 0 to 20 weight percent of a hydrophilic monomer andcomponent c is 0 to 90 weight percent of a hydrophobic monomer.

Abstract: Efficient, lower cost process for preparing dry, nonelectroscopic toners surface coated with antistatic agent and liquid slip agent, utilizing a pressure filter and a planetary mixer. The toners are useful for developing positive- or negative-working photosensitive elements and having imagewise tacky and nontacky surfaces.

Abstract: There is disclosed a processing solution for silver complex diffusion transfer process which contains at least one amino alcohol having a pKa value of less than 9 and at least one amino alcohol having a pKa value of 9 or more which are measured in a 50 wt % aqueous ethanol solution at 25.degree. C.

Abstract: Liquid petroleum sulfonates are useful alone or in combination with less lipophilic anionic surfactants in the preparation of dispersions of water-insoluble photographic addenda, such as couplers and ultraviolet absorbers, in hydrophilic colloid compositions. Such dispersions are useful in photographic elements. Crystallization of the addenda is inhibited and, for some addenda, other advantages are obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to diffusion transfer photographic processes adapted to be performed in the presence of ambient light and to diffusion transfer products useful in such processes wherein enhanced opacification particularly, in the green region of the visible spectrum is achieved by employing a 7-sulfonamido/5- or 6-sulfamoyl indole phthalein as the light-absorbing, pH-sensitive optical filter agent for the shorter wavelength region of the visible spectrum.

Abstract: Radiation sensitive silver halide photographic elements are disclosed which are protected from fog by aromatic tellurochalcogenides. The aromatic tellurochalcogenides can be initially incorporated in the photographic element as manufactured or during processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for processing, by the silver salt diffusion transfer technique, a photographic material which contains a developing agent and at least one each of a silver halide photographic emulsion layer and an image receiving layer containing nuclei for physical development. The composition contains about 0.03 mol/l to about 0.10 mol/l of a phosphate salt and about 0.3 mol/l to about 1.0 mol/l of a compound of the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, respectively; m and n are each 0 or 1, provided that m and n are not 0 at the same time. The processing composition allows for obtaining a high contrast image by the silver salt diffusion transfer technique.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate having metallic silver image areas is treated with a proteolytic enzyme and an oleophilizing compound to improve ink receptivity.

Abstract: Process of preparing dry nonelectroscopic toner comprising pigmented organic resin particles having a size distribution of 0.2 to 30 micrometers, surface coated with at least 0.1% by weight of silicone oil or fluorocarbon compound, in combination with at least 0.5% by weight of a water soluble, polymeric quaternary ammonium compound as defined. The toner is useful in color developing positive- and negative-working photosensitive elements. The toners, particularly magenta and cyan, exhibit high density and excellent stability.

Abstract: Dry nonelectroscopic toner comprising pigmented organic resin particles having a size distribution of 0.2 to 30 micrometers, surface coated with at least 0.1% by weight of silicone oil or fluorocarbon compound, in combination with at least 0.5% by weight of a water soluble, polymeric quaternary ammonium compound as defined. The toner is useful in color developing positive- and negative-working photosensitive elements. The toners, particularly magenta and cyan, exhibit high density and excellent stability.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a photographic material comprising in at least one layer photographic useful compounds, e.g. color couplers or developers, which are occluded into solid polymer particles of 0.1 to 0.5 .mu.m in size.

Abstract: This invention relates to diffusion transfer processes and products wherein the transmission density of the pigmented processing composition layer is increased by employing an alkali earth metal salt to increase the light-absorbing ability of a carboxynaphthol phthalein optical filter agent within said processing composition layer. In another embodiment, a carboxyindole phthalein optical filter agent also is included in said processing composition layer, and a zinc or cadmium salt is employed to shift the spectral absorption of the carboxyindole phthalein into the green region of the visible spectrum. In a further embodiment, a calcium salt is employed in a viscous pigmented processing compositon comprising a light-reflecting pigment, colloidal silica and a metal chelating agent, e.g., an alkylene polyamine polyacetic acid to stabilize the spreading characteristics of the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention deals with novel antifogging compounds and their use in a method of photographic reproduction comprising developing a photographic material having at least one exposed silver halide emulsion layer in the presence of a 1-phenyl-5-mercaptotetrazole compound wherein the phenyl group bears a substituent comprising at least one thioether function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the introduction of water-insoluble photographic additives, especially dye couplers, in aqueous media with the application of high-boiling organic solvents. The purpose of the invention is to develop an improved process for the introduction of hydrophobic photographic additives, especially dye couplers, in gelatin or other hydrophilic bonding agents in order to produce stable dispersions suitable for storage. This invention has the object of creating a new, high-boiling solvent for the dispersion of hydrophobic photographic additives. According to the invention, this aim is achieved by employing phosphonic acid diamides, methane bisphosphonic acid diamides, phosphonic acid esters, methane bisphosphonic acid esters or mixed phosphonic acid esters or methane bisphosphonic acid ester amides as high-boiling solvents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of dispersing oil-soluble photographic additives having a silver-halide base for information recording materials.According to the invention, compounds of the following general formula: ##STR1## are used as auxiliary dispersing agents. The symbolsR represents hydrogen, alkyl with 1 to 8 C atoms,M represents hydrogen, alkali metal, ammonium, andX represents OR or SO.sub.3 M.

Abstract: Photographic elements, multicolor filters and receivers are disclosed having supports providing microvessels for materials such as radiation-sensitive materials, imaging materials, mordants, silver precipitating agents and materials which are useful in conjunction with these materials. Processes of forming microvessels and introducing materials therein are also disclosed. Processes of forming images are disclosed employing microvessel containing elements. Image transfer processes are disclosed for producing one or a combination of silver and multicolor subtractive primary images alone or in combination with multicolor additive primary images.

Abstract: A process for preparing a color photographic light-sensitive material, which comprises incorporating at least one oil soluble photographic additive into a hydrophilic colloid aqueous solution by dispersing in the presence of an anionic surface active agent having one or more hydrocarbon chain(s), at least one of which is a hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain of 4 to 18 carbon atoms wherein the hydrogen atoms of one or more of the hydrocarbon chain(s) are wholly or partly substituted with fluorine, and having 1 to 3 --SO.sub.3 M or OSO.sub.3 M groups (M being a hydrogen atom or a cation) as an anionic moiety.

Abstract: Process for the production of photographic emulsions consisting of water-immiscible or water-insoluble organic substances and an aqueous solution of an organic binder, characterized in that the hydrophilic and hydrophobic phases are heated separately, each to its particular temperature above its liquefaction point, and then continuously dosed into a dispersing chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of photographic emulsates consisting of dispersions of water-immiscible or water-insoluble particles in aqueous binder solution, characterized in that the entire non-aqueous phase is initially introduced at a temperature above the liquefaction temperatures of the aqueous and non-aqueous phases, after which a relatively small volume of aqueous phase is emulsified continuously or in portions into the non-aqueous phase by known methods and then more aqueous phase is introduced while emulsification is continued in such a quantity that the viscosity of the emulsion passes through a maximum (indicating phase reversal into an emulsion of non-aqueous particles in aqueous dispersion medium (FIG. 1)).

Abstract: A two-component system for developing photosensitive materials provides a developing process which is not highly dependent upon critical values of time and temperature. The resultant developed materials possess less graininess than might be expected with conventional developer systems. The two-composition system is comprised of a first and a second composition employed as aqueous solutions, each containing an alkali sulfite. The first compositon comprises a phenylamine developer compound and hydroquinone.

Abstract: Solid compositions are disclosed comprising a complex of water; a benzotriazole of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, a monovalent organic radical, halogen, or nitro; and at least one water-soluble base having a basicity greater than that of the benzotriazole and capable of dissociating to provide an anion and a monovalent or divalent metal cation. The compositions have melting ranges above 35.degree. C. and are capable of releasing a substantial portion of the water contained therein to the surrounding environment when melted. The compositions can be employed in thermally developable photographic film units as thermally induced water-releasing materials which provide water to the internal environment of the film unit when the film unit is heated sufficiently to melt the composition.